Net metering for your home or business

Whether you are interested in becoming a net metering customer or are already a net metering customer, you will find helpful information about net metering service from LG&E and KU in the tabs below.

Getting started

Step 1

Read and review requirements and guidelines

  • Read and review the net metering Requirements and Interconnection Guidelines tabs above prior to beginning the application process.
  • Determine which application you need to fill out, using the application requirements under the Requirements tab above.
  • Find your application.

Step 2

Submit a net metering application

  • A completed application and all additional attachments outlined on the form are required to submit your application. 
  • Submit your application via emailing our net metering group at net.metering@lge-ku.com or via mail. The mailing address can be found on your application. For a faster application process, submit via email.
  • Follow these helpful tips when filling out your application.

Step 3

The application is reviewed

  • Nearly all net metering applications do not have a fee or cost associated with application review. Check the Requirements tab to learn more.
  • You will be notified once your application is approved.

Step 4

Once approved, you can begin installing your system

  • City or county governments typically require inspections prior to beginning installation work. Check with your city or county government or installer for more information about applicable requirements before beginning installation.
  • LG&E and KU may also perform inspections as they determine they are needed.
  • You or your installer must notify LG&E and KU of system installation via e-mail to net.metering@lge-ku.com.

Step 5

Meter installation

  • After you or your installer notify KU or LG&E that you have completed your installation, KU or LG&E will order the appropriate net metering meter for you.
  • If your existing electric meter is accessible, you do not need to be present when KU or LG&E installs your new net metering meter.
  • When your net metering meter is installed, your net metering service will begin.

Credits

We want you to feel empowered to understand your net metering bill. Watch an overview of how bill credits work.

If you are a net metering customer, you receive credit for the electricity you generate and supply onto KU’s or LG&E’s distribution system.  The kind of credit you receive depends on the date your net metering service with KU or LG&E began, not when your generator was installed.  

Customers who began taking net metering service before September 24, 2021, receive energy credits (in kWh) for any energy they produce onto KU’s or LG&E’s distribution system that exceeds the energy they consume from KU or LG&E in each billing period.

  • For example, an NMS-1 customer who produces 250 kWh to KU’s or LG&E’s distribution system in a billing period and consumes 150 kWh from KU or LG&E in the same billing period would receive a 100 kWh energy credit to offset the customer’s energy usage in the next billing period.
     
  • Such service is called NMS-1, and the terms of that service are shown on electric tariff Sheet No. 57 for KU and LG&E.
     
  • Learn more about how  NMS-1 net metering works.

Customers who began taking net metering service on or after September 24, 2021, receive dollar-denominated bill credits for all energy they produce onto KU’s or LG&E’s distribution system in each billing period regardless of how much energy they consume from KU or LG&E in each billing period.  

  • For example, assume an NMS-2 customer produces 250 kWh to KU’s or LG&E’s distribution system in a billing period and consumes 150 kWh from KU or LG&E in the same billing period.
     
    • That customer would receive a dollar-denominated bill credit at the NMS-2 rate for the 250 kWh produced.  
    • KU or LG&E would bill the customer under the appropriate retail rate provisions for the 150 kWh the customer consumed.  
    • If the dollar-denominated bill credit exceeded the customer’s energy charges—not any other charges—in that billing period, the excess bill credit would carry over to the customer’s next bill to offset energy charges on that bill.
       
  • Such service is called NMS-2, and the terms of that service are shown on electric tariff Sheet No. 58 for KU and LG&E.  
     
  • Learn more about how NMS-2 net metering works.

View KU’s and LG&E’s electric tariffs

In addition to the tariff, note these key points relating to net metering billing:

Generation does not equal credit

Many net metering customers have web-based apps that monitor their systems’ total electrical generation. The total electrical generation from your system in kWh indicated on your app will always be more than the amount electrical generation in kWh listed on your utility bill because your home or business will use some of that energy.  Your net metering meter provided by KU or LG&E records only the energy you produce that flows onto KU’s or LG&E’s distribution system, not the energy you produce and consume from your own generating system.

Most net metering systems are designed so that electrical energy is first consumed by the residence or business or is used to charge batteries. In each moment, your generating system’s production will go first to meet your energy needs; only the excess—the net energy—will flow through your net metering meter and onto KU’s and LG&E’s distribution system.

Net metering credit limitations

Net metering credits never result in cash payments to customers, even if a customer has net metering credits when closing an account.  Also, net metering credits do not earn interest.

Net metering credits never offset non-energy charges on a bill (such as gas and basic service charges).

My bill is higher than I expected

Has your usage (kWh) gone up?
There are many factors that could cause your bill to be higher than expected. Air conditioning, electrical or gas heating, pool pumps, additional residents, and new appliances can all have a significant impact on your utility bill. Seasonal variations in sunlight can have a major impact on utility bills for solar net metering customers. Solar energy production will decline substantially in the late fall and winter when compared to the spring and summer.

Is your solar system performing as designed?
You may need to check with your installer to determine whether your system is producing the amount of energy it was designed to produce.  

Do you have accumulated net metering credits?
Note that net metering credits never offset non-energy charges on a bill (such as gas and basic service charges), no matter how many net metering credits you might accumulate over time if your system produces significantly more energy than you consume.

Are you on budget billing?
Budget billing is designed to level out utility costs across the seasons. Therefore, budget billing could reduce expected savings from your electrical generation system in the summer, for example, but could help moderate winter bills.

Was your bill estimated?
Bills can be estimated for a variety of reasons but are then corrected on subsequent meter readings. If the credit you receive for your electrical generation is less than expected, it could be because your usage and generation were estimated instead of being read on your net meter.

Requirements

Application requirements

  • Applications can be completed by a 3rd party contractor - Example (PDF)
  • Application types include: NMS-2
  • Applications must be filled out completely
  • Must include 1-line electrical drawing showing key components on site plan - Example (PDF)
  • Must include a site layout showing connections showing the key system components’ exact locations (especially the AC disconnect(s), inverter, and main service panel or other point of connection to the LG&E / KU source) - Example (PDF)
  • Must include inverter specification from the manufacturer

LG&E Customer

KU Customer

Net metering generation systems requirements

  • Generate electricity using solar energy, wind energy, biomass or biogas energy or hydro energy;
  • Have a rated capacity of not greater than forty-five (45) kilowatts;
  • Be located on the customer’s premises;
  • Be owned and operated by the customer;
  • Be connected in parallel with the utility’s electric distribution system; and
  • Have the primary purpose of supplying all or part of the customer’s own electricity requirements.

Inspections & Permitting

LG&E and KU reserve the right to conduct inspections of customers’ net metering installations, but they do not automatically conduct inspections. Local governments (cities and counties) are responsible for conducting inspections and granting permits. LG&E and KU will grant a PTO (Permission To Operate) after installing a net meter for a customer’s installation.

System Upgrades

Net metering customers who add capacity or modify their systems must file a new net metering application. Customers who take service under Rider NMS-1 and subsequently add capacity or modify their systems will be switched to Rider NMS-2. Additions of battery storage systems do not constitute net metering system capacity additions or modifications.